Steven Gerrard described Luis Suarez as a 'midfielder's dream' after watching the Uruguayan turn in a sensational performance in Liverpool's 5-2 demolition of Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Suarez netted the Reds' fifth goal on a night to remember in west London, to add to Maxi Rodriguez's hat-trick and a Dirk Kuyt strike.
Speaking on television after the game, Gerrard, who is continuing his recuperation from a groin operation, chatted openly and honestly about a variety of subjects including Suarez, next season, Kenny Dalglish and also Manchester United closing in on the league title.
Here's what the Liverpool captain had to say...
On Luis Suarez's man-of-the-match performance against Fulham...
It goes to show how good Luis Suarez was. Usually, if you score a hat-trick, you deserve to win man of the match. But Luis Suarez's movement, touches, awareness, vision and the way he took his goal was sensational. He's a midfielder's dream. As soon as you look up, he's making great movement and gives you an option all the time. What impresses me even more about him is when he hasn't got the ball - his tenacity to win it back and attitude. In the 92nd minute, he was trying to get his second goal and still closing defenders down. He was just an absolute joy to watch.
On comparisons between Luis Suarez and Carlos Tevez...
I think it's natural he's going to be compared to Tevez because of the way he's built, his shape and the way he plays. But from what I've seen so far, and I'm going to be slightly biased because he's one of my teammates and one of our players, I think he could go on to be better. I can't wait (to play with Suarez next season). I am looking forward to next season already. Hopefully we can finish this season with another two wins, get a good pre-season under our belts and have a good crack at it next year.
On Dirk Kuyt's incredible form...
He's very good. He pops up with important goals, he's got the never-say-die attitude and never gives up from start to finish. He's in a very good vein form at the moment, scoring important goals. He's the Duracell bunny, isn't he? He just keeps going and going, never gives up, has a fantastic attitude, works hard every day in training and if you're a young kid and you look at Dirk, he's the type of role model you want - somebody who gives everything they've got.
On Maxi Rodriguez...
He's another player in superb form - that's two hat-tricks in three games. There are a lot of Liverpool players on top form at the moment.
On the difference Kenny Dalglish has made since returning...
I think Kenny has brought everyone together. He's approached all of the players, and he's drilling belief and confidence into them. Training has changed with Steve Clarke with the tempo, and the lads are enjoying going into training. You can see the difference out on the pitch - they're basically taking their training performances out there. If you're a footballer going into work smiling and enjoying it, you usually see results improving - and that's exactly what has happened.
On the attacking options Liverpool now have available...
Now the midfielders have got options. If big Andy Carroll is playing, you've got height and someone who it will stick with. If you've got Dirk, he will be everywhere, running into the channels, holding it up and running in behind. You've also got Suarez's class. The good thing about this team and squad now is there are options up front - good options.
On losing the 'two-man team' tag...
You only have to look at the performance (against Fulham) to realise we're not a one-man or two-man team. There were a lot of positive performances out there. If we can add a bit of strength to the squad in the summer and if the players can maintain that form, and there is still a lot of hard work to do, that's when we will push the teams above us a lot more closely.
On whether Liverpool can still make the top four...
It depends on the result (between Manchester City and Tottenham tonight). If Manchester City win, the race for fourth is all over, but if Tottenham can beat them it gives us a little bit more of a chance. We won't give up on it until it's impossible. The important thing for us is to worry about our two games and take six points from the last two.
On Manchester United closing in on league title No.19...
It's hurtful from our point of view because we held the record for so long, but you've got to give credit where it's due, they've overtaken us for the time being. The good thing is we are on our way back up and we won't give up the fight to try and overtake them again - don't worry about that. That is the motivation - to know your bitter rivals have overtaken you on league titles. We can still boast about the European Cups, of course, but we do need to amend the 19-18 and myself and everyone else will be doing everything we can to try and do that.
